UN blocks Iraqi medical imports
The United Nations sanctions committee has blocked an Iraqi contract to import 16 heart and lung machines, fearing that part of the order could be put to military use.
The UN humanitarian program says each heart and lung machine includes a computer for monitoring a patient's condition and further technical specifications involving the equipment are being sought.
Baghdad has repeatedly accused US and British representatives on the sanctions committee of using fake pretexts to block its imports.
Iraq has been under sanctions ever since its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.
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